THE BREAKFAST CLUB

Memo to staff: Next time, don't forget to call the cook.

Gov. Bill Ritter recently invited the six-member Joint Budget Committee to breakfast at the Governor's Mansion. But when committee members arrived, there was no food for them.

Turns out the staffer who was supposed to notify the mansion about breakfast forgot.

"We all went to Racine's and ordered breakfast," said Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins.

NO ROOM FOR ERROR

Medical errors are the eighth-leading cause of death in the U.S., says Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, whose bill to provide whistle-blower protection to nurses became law Thursday.

A VET SPEAKS OUT

"As a soldier, I can tell you that what we say here does matter to them."

Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, Gulf War veteran, arguing against a resolution denouncing a troop buildup in Iraq.

HE'S GOT

YOUR NUMBER

$500 Pledge phoned in by Bob Beauprez to an Adoption Exchange fund-raiser at Channel 4 on Wednesday.

Beauprez asked to talk to Gov. Ritter, his rival in November's gubernatorial race, who was manning the phones.

As the two men talked, the moderator quipped: "Bill Ritter has Bob Beauprez' credit card number!"